The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-04-09
CALIFORNIA; SENSATION.

NuihlhB TO Light.
SAN Francisco, April AT last the
mystery is solved and the question, "Who
is Kissanem that set the city by the ears
Tor the past week is answered. William
Kissane is known here as VIM X Rogers,
wealthy farmer of SOnoma County.
There are many strongly romantic feat
ures in the story, not the least remark.
able being the fact that Kssane has
brother living in San Francisco under an.
other name, and who is one Of her most
influential citizens 1t is this brothers.
influence, embracing as it does railroad
and legal and masonic circles, that has so
effectually stopped the publication of
the expose. Although the name was
known Friday night, and although it is
known that more than one paper had the
full story in type, not one word was
printed Saturday morning, and, in the
evening the New York dispatches con.
corning the matter were suppressed. A
German paper-The Demokrai- alone
broke the compact of silence.
Kissane's story is this: He had a shoe
factory in Cincinnati in 1853, which burned
down in mysterious manner one night.
The fire also destroyed an adjoining soap
factory of Pope q Corder, bringing the
families of the members of this firm to
beggary. A son-in-law of Pope named
Darr came to California a few years ago.
recogniz' ID Kissane, and notified the
Chemical Bank After the fire Kssane
and others chartered the steamer Martha
Washington, and ostensibly loaded her
with boots and shoes. During her trip the
steamer was destroyed by fire. several
lives being lost Charges of MUIR
der and arson followed. Kissane
joined Walkers Nicaragua expedi-
ton, deserted in 1861, and went
to Virginia City, New There he entered
into partnership with man named Girls
som, who recently died IN the poor-house,
and Henderson, now wealthy man of
Santa Clara County. Together they OBJ
tanned mine, paying $4,000 month,
which soon made them rich. Rogers.
with his share, bought the Oil Surf estate,
near Sonora, and settled down into
country life. AS to w. f Rogers he be-
come friend of Colonel Peter Donohue,
and was associated with him in rail.
road building in 1873. He became county
supervisor, was made president of the
board in 1879, and has served without in
terruption ever since
Though the present disclosure is the
first IN the nature of a public sensation, it
is by no means the first with which he has
been threatened. In quarrel with the
Sonoma County paper, in 1879 Rogers
career was limited at, and from what can
be learned the old man has been pretty
freely bled. He is big tall fellow. car
rying his years and experience wonder
FULLY well, lives in good style, and is
father OF two children and step-fathor to
two grown-up daughters, having married
a widow. He enjoys the reputation of be-
ing an extremely charitable and most in
dulgent parent.
Kissane's family reaches f.om high to
low At tho top stands tic extremely
prominent cltiz IN referred TO, next Gomez
Rogers, and last comes a teamster also
living in San Francisco who still keeps the
name of Kissane. The ell lest Kissane
married twice, his second wife being the
mother of the influential citizen referred
to, so that between him and Rogers half
brotherhood only exists. 49, ------
4 SUIT FOR Ella CKMAL-KIssA NE's BROTHER.
New York, April 4.-The officers of the
Chemical Bank have received a telegram
CISCO, informing them that he had revealed
the identity of Kssano in that city To a
reporter Mr.. j. f. Parsons, of the bank,
acknowledged that VIM. X.
Rogers was the assumed nam9 of Kis.
sane The president of the bank, George
Williams, SAID; "The man has not re-
formed. Half Of his crimnality IN the
past has not been told, and his career in
California has not been entirely free from
lishonor" Mr. Williams would not say
any thing definitely as to the offenses
by Kissane in California, OK
,ept to intimate that when last heard
rom he hal been on "spree," and that
lis domestic life was not without STAIN
General DIrr has taken some initiative
steps toward bringing an action against
Mr., j. B. Hart in San Francisco for libel.
)us utterances concerning himself in as
,ribing his motive in connection with ks
iane TO desire to levy blackmail.
Mr.. j. b. Hart, the San Francisco lawyer,
vas again interviewed Yesterday, and cool
= denied that VIM. Kissane is at present
Known in California under the name of
William X. Rogers. If Kissane had been
n Nicaragua, he said, as a member of
General Walkers expedition, he did not
lnow it,
The reporter informed Mr. Hart that
General Darr had telegraphel to the
chemical Bank that he had revealed H s.
ane's identity. Mr. Hart replied:
"Well if that is so suit will be brought
against General Darr in the morning for
One of the points in the strange history
which received fresh emphasis yesterday
vas the original statement concerning the
brother of Kissane mentioned above, who
s said to be very prominent lawyer, re-
iding in San Francisco.
While the position which William ks
ane has achieved in California is said to
AVE been greatly exaggerated by rumor
md imperfect report, that Of his brother
5 declared to be really great deal
superior, both IN social and political
ense. The lawyer is a man to whom
,ther IN en- look up with the highest re.
pect-a leader in the best private circles,
md the possessor Of immense wealth.
Having gained these facts in advance,
he reporter asked Mr. Hart concerning
hem. He did not hesitate to confirm the
tory as above related, although he, OF
,1t-I ., grf-~